The new multi-billion dollar superyacht destination Sindalah Island kicked off its recent grand opening with the mother of all superyacht parties.

Nearly 65 vessels, the majority measuring over 165 feet, traveled to the northern Red Sea for a lively “Red Sea Week” that included top-of-the-line entertainment, wine, cuisine and water activities. range.

“We were able to bring together more than 650 of the most accomplished and interesting people in the world,” says Luke Bahrenburg, publisher of Flight reportwho organized the event on behalf of Penske Media Corp., Flight reportthe parent of. “We’ve put together some unusual and special culinary moments, helicopter rides, water sports, entertainment and hopefully lots of unforgettable memories.”

“The organizers spared no expense and really blew the project out of the water,” says Alexander Yulish, a Manhattan-based painter and one of the VIP guests who stayed aboard the 237-foot boat. Blue of Nîmes. “The guests were of all kinds: from creatives to CEOs to wealthy families. There were a lot of meetings, which really added to the event.

Shows such as the Monaco Yacht Show and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) superyachts to potential buyers, but this event was one of a kind, bringing together world-class yacht owners, captains, chefs and double the number of guests planned by the organizers.

The Red Sea Week superyacht roster was as impressive an assemblage as any event, rivaling even the Monaco Yacht Show. He understood Geco, Golden Odyssey, Cloudbreak, Dar and historic yachts such as Christine O And Coral Ocean.

“I’ve traveled on many yachts, but this gathering had a totally different vibe,” says Yulish. “Their idea of ​​the next iteration of yachting was truly inspiring.”

Having participated in the first Red Sea Week in 2019, Yulish remembers a very different environment. “There was a palpable cruelty: you could almost see fossils coming out of the sea walls of Sindalah,” he says. “This time there was a different sense of beauty. They developed it but kept many rock formations and other landmarks to maintain the balance between old and new.

“Sindalah is one of the first projects in the world to have a single island designed and built from the ground up,” says Luca Dini, an Italian designer responsible for creating the island’s high-end village vibe. The island is only 20 acres, so Dini had to be inventive to create a complete luxury environment that also blended into the coral reefs and clear waters of the Red Sea.

The designer also added features such as “interactive” quartz columns to provide unique sensory experiences and aesthetic appeal. Traditional Saudi elements such as mosaics were reinvented to cover the ceilings, while fiber optics were integrated into the plaster walls to illuminate the night.

On the Sindalah coastline, hundreds of thousands of pieces of coral have been moved to improve existing reefs. Around 30,000 workers contributed to the development of the island over five years.

The island is the first piece of a larger regional puzzle, overseen by the national development agency NEOM, which has a $500 billion budget to help diversify the Saudi economy through its Saudi Vision 2030 initiative .

Other developments include the advanced industrial city of Oxagon, a mountain destination called Trojena, and “The Line” – a linear “smart city” built in a single building that will be 110 miles long, 660 feet wide and 1 600 feet high.

In addition to being the first NEOM development to open, Sindalah will be the crown jewel of the initiative. It is designed not only for the ultra-rich, but specifically for superyachts. The goal is to become the next big yachting and charter destination, rivaling the Caribbean for winter cruises.

For hundreds of yachts making the annual pilgrimage, not having to cross the Atlantic from the Mediterranean and return for the summer will be a welcome change. “The fuel and maintenance expenses are crazy for any transatlantic voyage,” says Capt. George Ioannou, captain of the 181-foot Admiral. Gécowhich sailed to Sindalah in two days from Greece. “It asks a lot of the boat and the crew.”

The word “incredible” was repeated many times among crew and captains about the new Sindalah Marina. “The facilities and hospitality were exceptional,” says Ionannou. “In this part of the Red Sea we are also sheltered from what is happening in the rest of the region.”

The marina has 85 berths for yachts up to 165 feet, while buoys just outside can accommodate gigayachts up to 550 feet. The full-service marina includes a yacht club, while the island has a sports club, a spa and wellness center, more than 51 luxury outlets, a golf course and 38 restaurants, including 9 high-end gastronomic establishments and three pop establishments. -rooftop restaurants.

The island also offers catered cuisine for superyachts. NEOM plans to build more marinas in the region, creating a cruising ground for visiting superyachts.

Red Sea Week brought together a wide range of owners and yachts from around the world, including Europe, the United States and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the island’s development in late 2022, and several members of the Saudi royal family were on hand for the official opening.

Red Sea Week featured renowned artists such as Alicia Keys, opera singer Katherine Jenkins, comedian Chris Tucker as well as Saudi artists Aref Jaman, Haltoon Idreees and Eli. Helicopter rides, private underwater and snorkeling yoga sessions and personal shopping at Sindalah’s high-end retailers including Kiton, Jil Sander and Santoni were part of the itinerary.

“They had this incredible light show that made it feel like we were on another planet,” says Yulish. “All these lights were piercing the inky black sky, almost trying to bring the stars to the ground. It was like someone’s dream, but it was so real you could almost touch it and taste it.

The week included world-class caviar and wine tastings, as well as dishes from two of Italy’s most famous chefs, Carlo Cracco and Norbert Niederkofler, as well as other chefs as part of Flight reportthe Culinary Masters event. On the island, 12 restaurants will be accompanied by Michelin-starred chefs.

“The organizers did this week in a very beautiful way,” says Yulish. “The events felt more like life experiences than a visit to different booths in a convention hall. People shared what they had created, whether it was chefs with their delicious food or listening to live opera. There was also a kindness that made the week special, spontaneous.

Sindalah is still under development, although the marina, golf course and several hotels and restaurants are open for business. Ultimately, the island will have 413 luxury hotel rooms, 333 apartments from brands such as Four Seasons and Marriott, as well as several types of restaurants and high-end retail establishments.

By 2027, the organizers hope to be able to accommodate several thousand people per day.

But the kind of welcome the superyacht community received during Red Sea Week was a one-off affair. “Everything was so well organized,” says artist Yulish. “They only left the magic to chance, but there was no shortage of that either.”